ECSS Paris 2023: CP-AP27
INTRODUCTION: Given the relevance of start and turn performance in competitive swimming, race performance is typically examined using phase-specific analyses, often focusing on single race distances or competition rounds. Therefore, this study compared start, turn, and clean-swimming performance between junior and adult top-elite male freestyle swimmers across race distances from 50 m to 1500 m and all competition rounds (heats, semi-finals, and finals) to provide insight into age-related performance characteristics. METHODS: Video data were collected from male freestyle swimmers competing in heats, semi-finals, and finals at the European Junior Long-Course Championships 2021 (n = 304) and the European Adult Long-Course Championships 2022 (n = 263). Start and turn performance were quantified using both individualized sections defined by each swimmer’s breakout distance and fixed measures based on standardized distances. Age-group and qualification-level differences were assessed using two-sample t-tests and two-way ANOVA. RESULTS: Across junior and adult male freestyle swimmers, start, turn, and clean-swimming speeds declined from 50 m to 1500 m (start: juniors 2.72 to 2.40 m/s and adults 2.86 to 2.45 m/s; turn: juniors 2.06 to 1.86 m/s and adults 2.16 to 1.94 m/s; clean-swimming: juniors 1.96 to 1.55 m/s and adults 2.04 to 1.60 m/s), with performance plateauing from 400 m onwards. Among finalists, adults outperformed juniors across all race components. Significant age-group differences in start speed were observed only in 50 m (Δabs = 0.15 m/s) and 100 m (Δabs = 0.09 m/s). Turn speed differences followed an inverted U-shaped pattern, with the largest differences at 400 m (Δabs = 0.08 m/s). Clean-swimming speed showed the largest differences in sprint events (50 m: Δabs = 0.09 m/s; 100 m: Δabs = 0.06 m/s) and remained relatively constant from 200 m onward (Δabs = 0.04-0.05 m/s). Two-way ANOVA revealed significant main effects for several start, turn, and clean-swimming parameters, including 15 m-out start time, fixed total turn time, and mean clean-swimming speed. The most consistent effects were observed for turn and clean-swimming performance, and no significant interaction effects were observed. Individualized measures captured variations in breakout distance across race distances and age groups that were not reflected by fixed-distance metrics alone. CONCLUSION: The combined use of individualized and fixed measures provides a more detailed characterization of phase-specific performance across age groups and race distances. Overall, differences in top-elite male freestyle swimming performance varied by age group and race distance. Start and turn performance showed distance-dependent differences, whereas clean-swimming performance showed relatively stable differences across middle- and long-distance events.
Read CV Chantal WidmerECSS Paris 2023: CP-AP27
INTRODUCTION: To explore the load structure characteristics of a 4-week altitude training program for adolescent swimmers and the physiological changes induced by training in a special environment, analyze the relationship between load quantification indicators and heart rate variability (HRV) changes, and provide data and theoretical support for load management and scientific training of adolescent swimmers during altitude training. METHODS: A longitudinal study was conducted in 16 adolescent swimmers during a 4-week altitude training. Incremental tests were performed pre- and post-training, and HRV was assessed weekly. Changes in HRV were analyzed using one-way repeated-measures ANOVA, while paired t-tests evaluated pre-post differences in lactate threshold variables and maximal performance. Training load was systematically monitored, including external (session frequency, time, distance) and internal (heart rate, eTRIMP, sRPE) indicator. Pearson correlations and stepwise regression analyses were performed to examine associations between load indicators and HRV responses. RESULTS: The total training time over the 4-week altitude training period was 70.1 hours, averaging 18.4 hours during basic training week and 14.9 hours during recovery week. The proportion of training time in zones 1-5 was 13.46%, 37.00%, 38.33%, 7.55%, and 0.82%, respectively. After altitude training, the athletes' lactate threshold and lactate threshold speed significantly increased (P < 0.01). The time main effects of HRV time-domain indicators over the 4 weeks were statistically significant (P < 0.05), as were the time main effects of Total Power, LF Power, and HF Power (P < 0.05). Among load quantification methods, sRPE and eTRIMP were highly positively correlated (r = 0.90, P < 0.01), and 90%-100% of maximum heart rate (Z5) significantly positively influenced sRPE changes. Between load quantification methods and HRV, sRPE and eTRIMP showed significant negative correlations with time-domain indicators (P < 0.01), as well as with Total Power, HF Power, and HF Peak (P < 0.01). 70%-79% of maximum heart rate (Z3) significantly negatively influenced RMSSD changes, while Z2 and Z3 significantly positively and negatively influenced SDNN changes, respectively. CONCLUSION: (1) A 4-week "threshold" training intensity distribution improves the lactate metabolism capacity of young swimmers and the maximal speed of the 200-meter incremental load test; (2) HRV proved to be an effective indicator of changes in training load during altitude training, with time-domain indices demonstrating greater sensitivity than frequency-domain indices; (3) Both sRPE and eTRIMP can reflect the relationship between exercise load and ANS regulation, providing a data foundation for effective management of load-related HRV changes. (4) Moderate-to-high intensity training may exert short-term negative effects on HRV, whereas low-to-moderate intensity training may enhance autonomic activity, thereby improving HRV and alleviating post-training fatigue.
Read CV Tianyou WangECSS Paris 2023: CP-AP27